1^8 The Irish Naturalist. September, 



Balbriggan. We took the road as far as " Long-Leg," the 

 remainder of the walk being along the cliffs. At different 

 points before reaching ^' Long-Leg " we noticed groups of very 

 tame Turnstones, whicli continued to forage among the i)ebbles 

 and weed of the beach within fifteen yards of passing 

 pedestrians and vehicles. These birds were in immature 

 plumage. Four Wheatears, in addition to the birds which 

 daily frequented the rocks near our house, appeared. Of these 

 two were in adult plumage. They were likely a family group 

 in which the rest of the brood had scattered. On this point 

 one might briefly refer to the fact that one or two immature 

 birds of a brood alread}- quite strong on the wing and well able 

 to take care of themselves, commonly follow their parents for 

 a considerable time after the nesting-season is over. One often 

 sees a young Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed, or Herring 

 Gull, following one parent for quite a long time after it can 

 fl\'. It is an interesting point, and the pertinent question 

 arises : Are some young birds imbued with the facult\- of 

 independence at an earlier age than others, which makes them 

 desert their parents, or is it that the parent, no longer able to 

 support her grown family, continues to feed only the one 

 which appears backward developmentally ? In many instances 

 no doubt, part of the brood is lost by the ravages of birds of 

 2)re}' and other fatalities. We kept a sharp look-out for 

 Swallows and Terns, but found them scarce all the way between 

 Skerries and Balbriggan. What Swallows we noticed were 

 birds of the year. 



Having had tea at Balbriggan we returned by the road 

 arriving at Skerries at 7.20 p.m. 



Monday, September 28th. — I made another expedition to 

 " Long-Leg" in company with Mr. Wilkins. Looking over the 

 grass-grown cliffs of Barnageara we observed hundreds of 

 Black-headed Gulls, and, in much less numbers, Terns, " hawk- 

 ing" for flies and small beetles. With our glasses we plainlx' 

 saw the birds opening their beaks and caj^turing the insects in 

 the air. When about to snap up an insect the Gull assumed 

 a curious attitude ; it allowed it legs to dangle, its neck at the 

 same time was thrown back between the shoulders and its head 

 l)ointed upwards, this attitude being associated with a mo- 

 mentarily suspension in the air. It was a very different move- 

 ment to that adapted by Swallows and Swifts when feeding. 



